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oct_11__1982.html

Pix #1 - Photo shows the remainder of the property built
by Nicholas Burtscher at 115-119 W. Center Street.

Pix #2 - Frank Burtscher, father of Mrs. E.J. Helen
Wright

The fourth part of the series of articles about West
Center Street starts with another structure built by Nicholas Burtscher
on the south side of the street, directly opposite where Carr Furniture
was for many years. It is shown by the one photo with this article,
with three business rooms on the first floor and resident apartments
on the second floor. The occupants will be listed later in this article.

Much of the property developed by Nicholas Burtscher
is still owned by his descendents, Mrs. E.J. (Helen) Wright is the
only one living locally since the death of her brother Park in 1980.
Their father was Frank, a twin whose brother Charles left Fostoria
prior to the death of their father, Nicholas and then settled in Washington
D.C. Frank was well-known in Fostoria.

Descendents, besides Mrs. Wright, who are still owners
of the property developed by Nicholas are: Charles and Nicholas Burtscher,
Baltimore, MD., both sons of Charles, the twin of Frank; and Park
Burtscher's wife and daughter, living in Seattle WA.

TWO BUSINESSES SURVIVE

Only two names of business firms that were located in
the Burtscher Block many years alo are still functioning today: Mann-Hare
Funeral Home and Gillig Electric.

Back then, the former was known as Mann Bros. Undertakers.
That was long ago, around 1915, there was no such business as a "funeral
home". Funerals were conducted either in the home or church. The "undertaker"
prepared the body and made other burial arrangements only.

According to John Mann, son of Asa, who started the
business, Jay, the brother of Asa, did not join the business at first.
A more lengthy story about the Mann Bros. business will be presented
at a later date.

When Gillig Electric was located at No. 115 in the Burtscher
Block in about 1929, it was headed by Carl Gillig, founder of the
business who has been retired from it for many years. Today, the business
is on West Tiffin Street and Robert Gillig, Carl's son is president.
Carl is retired and lives in Florida.

The following list is of many businesses and residents
who were in the Burtscher Block at various periods of time.

The restaurant, owned by Richard Keyes, was a popular
eating place which started in 1951 and will be remembered by those
who frequented it. Keyes expanded the restaurant in 1953 or 1954 by
taking over No. 117. A large archway opened from the regular restaurant
into the adjacent room, which was named the Richwood Room, used for
private parties.

Regretably, I have been unable to locate any photos
of West Center Street where the parking lot is now. If any readers
have such photos plase contact me.

At one time, there was a row of two-story buildings
thre, housing a variety of businesses with residences on the second
floors.

One of those businesses should be specially mentioned,
J.P. Bowers Drug Store since it was probably Fostoria's first discount
drug store. It was located at No. 129 in a separate one-story building
next to the north-south alley.

The Schuck Feed Store was operated by a father and son
team the younger also being a city firefighter for many years. when
the fire whistle blew he would dash down the alley to the fire station
on North Street and catch the fire truck on the run. Back then, a
stam whistle at the Waterworks building on West Fremont Street would
tell the ward (location) of the fire by blowing one, two, three, or
four blasts. The civilians would race after the firefighters to the
site of the fire, a practice now outlawed.

Author's Note: Readers have been treated to four articles
about West Center Street and there is still more to be told about
that street. However, in the past four consecutive weeks there has
been an accumulation of Feedback, and I think four consecutive weeks
on one subject is enough for now. I promise to continue the rest of
that street history again soon.